What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

[Rishkoi]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

I'm not worried so much about unlocks as much as I am about the attribute boosting equipment itself. I fully expect to unlock it all fine, that isn't the problem.

My problem is being forced to use this gear to level the playing field out there. Now you can sit here and say, "Oh, a few points don't really matter" which really might be true, but you are still at a disadvantage. The same shot, taken from the same angle, with someone using a Reebok stick with 86 wrist shot power has less of a chance of going in as someone using a gold stick with 86 wrist shot power + 3 wrist shot power thanks to the boost slot available on the equipment. That's it, there's no getting around it.

To further that point, with monthly championships, teams are going to get real competitive, and when it comes down to who makes the top spots in Division 1, the smart money says the top teams will be trying to get every advantage possible. EVERYONE will be using the fantasy gear for the extra juice, it just doesn't make any sense not to. The games aren't even going to resemble anything close to a visual ice hockey experience.

In the video, I really like the looks of Reebok Revoke goalie pads. Those are the pads I want to use. And yet, they have "no boost slots" while the crazy monster gear at the bottom does. If I want to be the best goalie I can be, and to give my team the best chance to win, I have to use those crazy pads. I don't see how anyone can think that's a good idea.

I just don't think I should be punished or at a disadvantage, however small, for preferring realistic gear over EA Sports fantasy gear, and no matter how you slice it, that's what this year's EASHL boils down to.

LuGer33 FTW I love how you see through the crap others cant and actually say whats going on. I want to use my Mission Assassin gloves my RBK Gold Stick and my Rbk 9k Skates while wearing my Nike Bauer 4500 Helmet like i do in real life and i dont wanna be punished for it either! The casual gamer doesnt BUY hockey games they rent them so why are you hurting the playes who have supported EA since 97 and beyond who will buy this game? Pathetic. as EA sports say If its in the game its in the game not if its in WoW its in the game.

LITTMAN = SELLOUT

[RealmK]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

LuGer33 FTW I love how you see through the crap others cant and actually say whats going on. I want to use my Mission Assassin gloves my RBK Gold Stick and my Rbk 9k Skates while wearing my Nike Bauer 4500 Helmet like i do in real life and i dont wanna be punished for it either! The casual gamer doesnt BUY hockey games they rent them so why are you hurting the playes who have supported EA since 97 and beyond who will buy this game? Pathetic. as EA sports say If its in the game its in the game not if its in WoW its in the game.

LITTMAN = SELLOUT

One bad feature and you're calling the producer a sellout? Some of you guys are so fickle.

[savoie2006]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

LITTMAN = SELLOUT

You know it could be ALOT worse. All the things the NHL team have added to this game the last few years and you talk like this over one silly feature. Things added that the fans have wanted in EA hockey for YEARS, yet this one little misstep of sorts is worth this big of a fuss. Grow up already.

[Rishkoi]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

One small error? umm it ruined the Online portion of the game, thats over half the game... how fickle am i for being upset that they ruined there own game.

[RealmK]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

One small error? umm it ruined the Online portion of the game, thats over half the game... how fickle am i for being upset that they ruined there own game.

So you've played EASHL in 10 already and know its ruined? Wow thats impressive! I'm willing to bet a team that uses teamwork with default equipment will still walk all over some kiddies who only care about a few atribute boosts and crazy gear. I could be wrong but I'm willing to wait to PLAY the game before making rediculous statements like the one you just made.

[ComaFaction]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

You make it sound like you've been playing NHL10 online for six months -- "ruined" -- please! I agree, it's a strange decision, but I'll reserve judgment until I play the game. I'm not too worried about it.

[kerosene31]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

One bad feature and you're calling the producer a sellout? Some of you guys are so fickle.

I'm sure the equipment will be unlockable for a price too, just like Tiger. Now we have microtransactions.

Now, maybe solid equipment will be available pretty easily. However the unlocks in Tiger are difficult, tedious, and tine consuming. IE: NOT FUN.

I actually really like Tiger 10 too... but I had to put in many hours just to get to a point where I could play the game. It left me a little bitter.

For those of us who have limited game time and even worse, have a need for variety (IE not putting 100% of our spare time into 1 game) this can get really tedious.

[RealmK]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

I'm sure the equipment will be unlockable for a price too, just like Tiger. Now we have microtransactions.

Now, maybe solid equipment will be available pretty easily. However the unlocks in Tiger are difficult, tedious, and tine consuming. IE: NOT FUN.

I actually really like Tiger 10 too... but I had to put in many hours just to get to a point where I could play the game. It left me a little bitter.

For those of us who have limited game time and even worse, have a need for variety (IE not putting 100% of our spare time into 1 game) this can get really tedious.

Again, you've already played 10 and know for certain it works just like Tiger? Tiberon and EA Canada were two seperate dev studios last I checked.

[kerosene31]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

Again, you've already played 10 and know for certain it works just like Tiger? Tiberon and EA Canada were two seperate dev studios last I checked.

Right, it might not be a big deal, but if Tiger 10 was a pain, so could this. You act as if you've played it and that it won't be an issue at all. Offline play and online play should be separate.

The worst part about this in Tiger is that the challenges act as a kind of tutorial. Well, for people who've played past versions this is unnecessary.

All I hope for is that more than 1/2 my EASHL games are against good, legit teams.

[aBiNeR]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

I have to say, it sounds like the're really putting alot of effort into making the EASHL a better experience. The seperation of casuals from hopefully the more realism looking sim players is huge if it ends out playing out that way. I do wish they had implimented actual in game cash to buy upgrades though because you just know theres going to be people who spend microsoft points to buy all the best equipment without putting any effort in to actually earn it.

Supposedly, Littman was influenced by titles like World of Warcraft. An in-game economy structure would certainly have been the way to head in that direction. But being able to pay for points with real money was not the right decision for the customers.

[themaizeandblue]

Re: What's New In The EASHL? Gamespot Interview With Littman

Wow, these changes suck for sim players. However, one positive is that if your opponent is wearing a santa hat you know to prepare to defend against glitches from the beginning.